公开(公告)号：US20220134607A1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-05

申请号：US17085497

申请日：2020-10-30

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Venkateshwar R. AITHARAJU ,  Princess Len M. CARLOS ,  Donald E. MATTHEWS

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29B11/12 ,  B29B11/16

Abstract: A method of fabricating a preform is provided. The method includes disposing a veil over a first mold portion having a three-dimensional shape, the veil including a thermoplastic material and magnetic particles; disposing a fiber tow onto the veil; heating at least a portion of the veil by induction so that the fiber tow becomes coupled to the veil; compressing the fiber tow and the veil toward each other with a second mold portion that has a negative contour relative to the first mold portion; and removing the preform from the first and second mold portions. The preform has the three-dimensional shape and includes the fiber tow coupled to the veil. Preforms prepared by the method are also provided.

公开(公告)号：US20220324310A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-13

申请号：US17226942

申请日：2021-04-09

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Venkateshwar R. AITHARAJU ,  Gurpinder S. DHALIWAL ,  Erik B. GOLM ,  Princess Len M. CARLOS ,  Donald E. MATTHEWS ,  James K. SCHOENOW

IPC: B60J5/10 ,  B32B7/09 ,  B32B5/06 ,  B32B15/02 ,  B32B15/14

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composite lift gate for a vehicle. The composite lift gate includes a polymer matrix and a fiber assembly. The fiber assembly is embedded in the polymer matrix. The fiber assembly includes a fiber mat and a plurality of substantially-aligned continuous fibers. The plurality of substantially-aligned continuous fibers is directly connected to a portion of the fiber mat. In one aspect, the composite lift gate further includes an electronic component connected to the fiber assembly. In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a composite lift gate for a vehicle.